From one tiny acorn
ACS was born in July 1967 when Mr E J Poularas (a Greek shipping executive) and
Mr G E Speed (an American educator working in London) realised there was a real need to create an exceptional American and international educational environment to serve the needs of London’s ever-growing expatriate community.
Spurred on in part by the exploration and development of North Sea oil and gas, and expansion in the international banking, insurance and money markets, the influx of overseas investment meant existing American schools in the capital could no longer cope with enrolment demands. The moment was right and Mr Poularas and Mr Speed launched their educational vision.
Following decades of sustained growth and globalisation in both the student and staff population, ACS successfully re-branded into ACS International Schools in 2005. The road is now set towards an even brighter and bolder educational horizon.
The first 40 years
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The Hampstead School
5 and 16 Netherall Gardens, London NW3
1967-1981
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
ACS began life in 1967 as the Overseas School of London. It opened with only 35 students but grew to its capacity of 220 students in just three months. Due to its popularity, a sister school opened in Knightsbridge the following year. It continued growing and in 1971, a new building was purchased down the road. The new facility became home to the Middle School, and the Lower School took over the original building. |
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The Knightsbridge School
11 Lennox Gardens, London SW1
1968-1980
8th – 12th Grades
The Knightsbridge School opened its doors in 1968 to K – 5th Grades and 9th – 12th Grades. Due to enrolment demands, the Knightsbridge School became an 8th – 12th Grade school in 1969.
Ten years later, the Knightsbridge School was able to increase its student body from 240 to 340 thanks to an unexpected move by the Danish consulate when they vacated their premises adjacent to the school, giving us room to expand into a new building in 1979.
In 1980, the Knightsbridge School introduced the International Baccalaureate Programme and became a Middle and High School.
However, world political events that year reversed the demand for international schools in London. Knightsbridge’s enrolment dropped from 325 in June to 125 in September and the school was forced to close. |
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The Hyde Park School
3/4 Elvaston Place, London SW7
1973-1980
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Even though the Hampstead School now had two buildings, waiting lists continued to grow and from a greater range of London’s boroughs. ACS needed to expand again and chose a Hyde Park location. The Hyde Park School opened in 1973 with 176 K – 8th Grade students.
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The Wimbledon School
27 Arterberry Road, Wimbledon SW19
1974-1980
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
In 1975, more than 50% of ACS students were being bussed from the Wimbledon area into central London. On consideration, it seemed more logical to bring the school to the students and the King’s College boarding facility was purchased. The Wimbledon School opened in 1974 to full capacity. It was the first American elementary school south of the Thames. |
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The Cobham School
Heywood’, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11
1975 -
Rising Threes – 12th Grade
After careful research, the decision to find property in Surrey and Middlesex was made. The Heywood Estate was a perfect location with its historic buildings and vast grounds. The school opened in 1975 with 175 K – 9th Grade students, all housed in the main house.
Initially the enrolment capacity was capped at 325 until the new A3 dual carriageway was completed and planning permission was eventually granted to build additional classrooms.
Today, ACS Cobham enrols over 1,300 students aged 2 ½ to 18. |
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The Parkside School
83 Parkside, Wimbledon
1977-1979
5th – 8th Grade
The Parkside School was leased on a two year contract to deal with our growing enrolment demand, while the Cobham School waited for the completion of the A3 and planning permission. It provided a home to 225 Middle School students. |
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The Hillingdon School
108 Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10
1978-
Pre-K – 12th Grade
In 1978, ACS found its Middlesex campus, which had once been a girls’ school called the Hillingdon Court School. The Hillingdon School started with 101 K – 8th Grade students. The High School opened the following year.
When the Knightsbridge School closed in 1980, a number of the students transferred to the Hillingdon school.
Today, ACS Hillingdon enrols over 600 students aged 4 to 18. |
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The Egham School
Woodlee, London Road, Egham, Surrey TW20
1995-
Pre-Scramblers – 12th Grade
The latest addition to ACS is the Egham School. It open 1995 with 70 K – 7th Grade students. The Egham school is one of only three schools in the UK to offer all three IB programmes: The PYP (Primary Years Programme), the MYP (Middle Years Programme) and the Diploma programme.
Today, ACS Egham enrols over 550 students aged 2 ½ to 18. |
ACS in 2007
Forty years on from our launch, ACS is still proud to offer both students and staff the opportunity to achieve more than they believe they can.
Now as Europe’s premier international school, we believe a fundamental part of our role is to inspire students to become successful lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. This belief, and the dedicated drive of our teachers, staff, students and parents has won us a reputation for academic excellence and personal achievement.
Since we first opened our doors in 1967, ACS has always served the needs of both local and global families. Today our three state-of-the-art London area campuses at Cobham, Egham and Hillingdon are home to over 2,500 students and 580 staff from over 70 countries, speaking more than 40 first languages.
The schools are non-sectarian and co-educational, enroling students from 2 ½ to 18 years of age. We offer all three International Baccalaureate Programmes, and an American curriculum including Advanced Placement courses.
We look forward to continuing our role as a leader in international education over the years ahead.
